God

"Call up archers against Bavel, all whose bows are strung. Besiege her from every side, let no one escape. Repay her for her deeds; as she has done, do to her. For she insulted ADONAI, the Holy One of Isra'el.

This is why her young men will fall in her open places, why all her warriors will be silenced on that day," says ADONAI.

"I am against you, arrogant [nation]," says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot. "For your day has come, the time for you to be punished.

The arrogant [nation] will stumble and fall, and no one will lift him up again. I will set his cities on fire, and it will devour everything around him."

Thus says ADONAI-Tzva'ot: "The people of Isra'el are oppressed, and so are the people of Y'hudah. Those who took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go.

But their redeemer is strong; ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, so that he can give rest to the land but unrest to those who live in Bavel.

ADONAI says, "A sword hangs over the Kasdim, and over those who live in Bavel, over her leaders and over her sages.

as when God overthrew S'dom, 'Amora and their neighboring towns," says ADONAI. "No one will settle there any more, no human being will live there again.

"It will be like a lion coming up from the thickets of the Yarden against a strong settlement; in an instant I will chase him away and appoint over it whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who can call me to account? What shepherd can stand up to me?"

So hear the plan of ADONAI that he has devised against Bavel, and his goals that he will accomplish against the land of the Kasdim: the least of the flock will drag them away; their own pasture will be in shock at them.

ADONAI says this: "Against Bavel and those living in Lev-Kamai I will stir up a destructive wind.

Isra'el and Y'hudah are not left widowed of their God, ADONAI-Tzva'ot; but the land of [the Kasdim] is full of guilt before the Holy One of Isra'el."

Flee from Bavel, let each one save his life! Don't perish because of her guilt. For the time has come for the vengeance of ADONAI; he will repay her what she deserves.

Bavel was a gold cup in the hands of ADONAI; it made the whole earth drunk - the nations drank her wine; this is why the nations have lost their senses.

ADONAI has brought forth our victory. Come, let us proclaim in Tziyon the work of ADONAI our God!

Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! ADONAI roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because he plans to destroy Bavel. This is the vengeance of ADONAI vengeance over his temple.

Raise a standard against the walls of Bavel! Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Prepare ambushes! For ADONAI has both planned and accomplished what he promised to do to those living in Bavel.

ADONAI-Tzva'ot has sworn by himself, "I will fill you with men as numerous as grasshoppers; they will raise over you a shout of triumph."

He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom spread out the sky by his understanding.

When he thunders, the waters in heaven roar, he raises clouds from the ends of the earth, he makes the lightning flash in the rain and brings the wind out from his storehouses.

Ya'akov's portion is not like these, for he is the one who formed all things, including the tribe he claims as his heritage. ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name.

"[Bavel] you are my war club and weapons of war - with you I shatter nations; with you I destroy kingdoms;

with you I shatter horses and their riders; with you I shatter chariots and their drivers;

with you I shatter husbands and wives; with you I shatter old and young; with you I shatter young men and virgins;

with you I shatter shepherds and their flocks; with you I shatter farmers and their teams; with you I shatter governors and deputies.